Syracuse University Top Questions

Unfortunately, I did not get all four years of high school because of a financial problem my family was having so I was allowed to graduate early. This means that during my Junior year in high school I was also a Senior but did not get the pleasures of being a Senior. Since I have been in college for a few months now I have realized that it would have been easier for me now if I knew what classes to take. At first I planned on taking some AP classes during my Senior year but did not get the chance and did not get to learn everything i could. If I knew what classes I would be taking in college I would replace all the useless classes I took in high school so I would be better prepared.

On first thought, advice that I would give myself would be to start thinking about what I'd want to do, or major in, eariler. I came to Syracuse University without really having an idea of which direction to go in and I felt that had I begun thinking about it earlier, I would feel better about my academic career. However, if it so happened that I came to SU again without really knowing what I'd like to do, the advice I would give myself would be, not to be afraid to seek help and take advantage of the services on campus provided to me--such as the Center for Career Services. Stemming from this, I would tell myself to not be afraid to get involved in other ways on campus, whether it be in extracurriculars, or volunteer service; because it will be these types of experiences that add to and enhance the college experience.

I would tell myself to open myself up to the possibilities that will be provided to me. I would urge myself to try to not only study and analyze what I was provided (readings, projects, etc.) but ask myself what each individual piece meant in the larger scheme of my studies. I would ask myslef to understand that only by observing things with a curious scope may I succeed. Academic success cannot be measured by an understanding of the books laid in front of me, but by and understanding of why I need to understand it and how it fits into the larger scheme of my academic studies. I would also urge myself to be able to look beyond what academic resources was provided to me, and to look for my own answers. I would tell myself that professors only provide to you a basis of understanding, from which one builds up their own understanding of architecture. This is a time for development and understanding of myself, and I should treat my time here with respect. Learning is not limited to my time on the campus, but I can spend time outside of school to develop as an architect.

Make sure you start doing your homework. You can't learn in college with the same level of effort you put into high school. Engineering takes practice and focus in every single class. Do not procrastinate.

I would first tell myself that the feeling of not being able to live on my own without my mom is something that I will overcome. Basically I was afraid of getting sick and not having my mom around to take care of me. Next I would describe my classes to myself and certain stragies for success for example study skills that I picked up late in college and wished that I knew before entering college. As far as work is concerned I would advise myself about the different kinds of jobs on campus and give an honest oppinion about which job would best fit me. Since I would ultimatly go to the same university I would love to describe in my own words the look and feel of my college. Particularly because I did not have the funding to come and visit the college while I was in high school. Lastly I would introduce myself to the friends that I have in college now that way I could have started off college not feeling lonely.

If I went back in time knowing what i know now, i would tell myself this: This is going to be the hardest , but the most rewarding years of your life. You will have to face living on your own, making payments, doing well in classes, and keeping up with friends, all at the same time. You are not going to like your room mate freshman year, and while it will be the hardest situation, you will learn more about yourself than anyother time in your life. So you dont become instant bestfriends with your roommate, you will istead meet the best friends you have ever known with the girls down the hall. Be strong in what you believe even if what you believe is changing, however dont let that change be because of anyone but yourself. These are the shortest years of your life, dont ever take it for granted. Good Luck.

I would tell myself to get as involved as possible early in the school year. This makes the transition from high school to college much easier. You make friends and learn things from upperclassmen to help you get comfortable. Also I would tell myself not to be afraid of trying new things. There will be many new opportunities in college, so take advantage of as many of them as you can. Also, make sure that even if you do become involved with sports, music, or clubs, do not forget that school work comes before anything. It is important to have good grades and a high GPA to obtain internships and future jobs. As soon as internship opportunities become available, take advantage because real world experience is also very important in obtaining a job after graduation.

Question: What advice would I give myself if I could go back to my senior year of high school, while still retaining the knowledge I have now about my college experience thus far? I know that I make transititions from school to school slowly. I knew that in high school and I still knew it coming into college. However, I would tell myself to be sure about the decisions I would make about college and that I do not always need to listen to the professor or academic advisor. My freshman year of college my advisor told me to take seven classes...this was a mistake and I would advise myself not to do that. Also, I would not repeate classes for which I received a C or better. Beginning at the very first lecture of college, I would tell myself to always take active notes and to review the notes right after class as well as begin the homework. If there is something that I do not understand that I should immediately go to the professor or get a tutor until understand the matial. Do not wait until I feel farther behind. But also, get involved and have fun.

I would say to find a balance between academics sports and social life as soon as possible. I would remind myself that even though there are opportunities for great social freedom at SU, you can easily lose track of your academic goals. I would advise myself to put myself out there and make more friends freshman year. I would preach the importance of not just learning academic material in class, but also learning about who you are as a person outside the classroom. I would remind myself that college is the best time of your life, and even if you have to go through failures academically, socially, and athletically, you will adapt and find a way to become a better person through those experiences. Lastly I would advise myself to appreciate and cherish every moment I'm here at school, because it will be done with sooner than I expect.

Be comfortable with who you are and don't be afraid. You don't have to know everything about who you are, but know what you stand for, don't let the people you meet define you. My biggest advice is don't be afraid. Don't be afraid to say hi to someone new, when you are a freshman at a new school that is the perfect opportunity to walk up to someone and introduce yourself, especially in your classes. As a freshman it's important to realize that eveyone is in the same boat, nobody has their "click" formed yet so saying hi doesn't hurt. Sit next to someone new in class and introduce yourself; that person could end up being your best friend. Don't be afraid to ask for help either, college is different and there is nothing wrong with asking for help. Meet your professors and make yourself known; ask them questions when you have them. Don't be afraid to step up and get involved with anything that intersets you, you might meet new awesome people by getting involved with something.

To get involed right away, meet as many people as possible. Get to know your teachers personally, and get ahead of your work right off the bat. Don't let your self get behind.

Giving advice to incoming freshman is always a hard task because there is so much you want to tell them. If I were to give myself advice I would tell her to prepared to feel lonely. The transition from high school to college effects you emotionally and academically. There may be thousands of people around you but if you can not relate to a person or a group your experience can be one that is lonely. I lived with three roommates my freshman year and I still felt as if I was going through motions and missed out on building personal relationships and friendships. My advice is to be open proactive to make friends. There is a balance between social life and academic life but without the similar companionships that you most probably had in high school, you can be left feeling a little lost. It is important to find your niche and hang in there cause there are only good times ahead. You chose this college for a reason, make the best of it.

If I were to go back in time and give my high-school self advice on how to make college life and the transition into it easier, I would tell my self to make as many friends as possible in the first week. Something I have noticed which I was never warned about by the countless people who told me how to prepare for college was the minute window in which friendships are made. Within the first week, I had basically met and become friends with all of the friends I have now, almost three months into the semester. If I had known what I know now, I would have made a much greater effort to make more friendships. In the first week of school, you are given the opportunity to make more friends than you could ever need, and that is an opportunity worth taking advantage of. The best way to go about making these new friends is to get involved. Even if you're not necessarily interested in joining a group, go to their meetings or practices and meet the people. It is amazing how friendly people are and how easily relationships can be developed.

If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior again the first thing I would tell him is to have someone help him with getting good study habits. In high school (since high school is not even close to as difficult as college) I got straight A's and was in the top of my class. However, coming to college I have realized that classes are way harder then they are in high school so I have to study for my exams. Even though I have become better at studying and make it more of an everyday thing now, it woud have been nice to have had good practice at it atleast through my senior year instead of having to learn the hard way that it is not going to work like high school

Looking back, I would tell my self to be as well rounded and open-minded as possible. I would tell myself to get involved in many activities that benefit me and my community. I would go to all the open house events and get highly acquainted with college students.

As a high school student, a lack of motivation and personal responsibility left me little choice when it came to college. I joined the United States Army immediately prior to the invasion of Iraq, and within months of completing basic training, deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The qualities that I was missing as a teenager quickly became strengths. Upon returning from deployment, I applied to Syracuse University and have striven for success in every aspect of my academic career. When reflecting on what advice I would give my high school self, the simplest answer is this: change nothing. Had I not been ignoring assignments and putting forth little effort, my options would have been considerably brighter. Perhaps I might have gotten into Syracuse years earlier. I know for sure I would have never joined the military, and in missing out on that experience I would have lost out on the greatest learning endeavor of all. The military taught me not only leadership and personal responsibility, but also taught me integrity in a way that no school could. Without that, I would have undoubtedly been lost in the swirl of college life.

I would tell myself that I need to put myself out there more. I've never been the most social person and not always much of a joiner, but I really should try to get more involved. Dorm life will/would have been less miserable if I got out and did all the things I loved in highschool that I missed out on freshman year. Theatre, art, and music groups are there for freshmen to join, they're a little hard to find but it is possible, and I should have worked harder to find them. Not only this, but I need to remember to do ALL homework assignments, no matter how trivial they seem. Yes, I got away with not doing homework in highschool, but this is college and its different, we actually need to do homework here. Also, don't worry all that much about not fitting in in class, being the only girl and all. Its surprisingly easy to make friends in predominately male classes, even though they're usually kind of a boys club.

If I could go back to before college and tell myself something?s about college, I would inform myself of the social differences of college. While in high school, your social experiences are limited by the people you know but in college an individual?s social experience are determined by their boldness. By this, I mean that in college if you are bold enough to walk up to an unknown person then you can grow this relationship into anything. This differs from high school because in high school the people you know you have most likely gone to middle school or even elementary school with. College is fun of new adventures and tasks use the opportunities to make yourself known and expand your horizons. I would also inform myself of the vast amount of opportunities that college holds because of meeting new individuals. By meeting new people, new opportunities are created which can open the doors to anything at all. If I could go back in time and tell myself about my college experience I would ensure that I met new people and did everything I possibly by trying all opportunities that arise.

I would not give myself any advice. Making the college transition was the best part of school for me. I made some mistakes, but they will help me later in life. Everyone has to learn who they are by themselves and should not be afraid to make mistakes.

Go to Syracuse,undecided for freshman year. Figure out from there what you want to do from there. Study hard, dont let anything get in your way, make as many friends as possible, enjoy your college life, because it goes by very quickly. College is the best time of your life, be sure you know what you are getting into.